POLITICIANS in neighbouring areas are urging ministers to scrap tolls on the Mersey Gateway Bridge.

Former Chancellor George Osborne pledged that drivers in Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester would have tolls waived ahead of the 2015 General Election.

But many motorists are facing a £1,080 yearly bill to cross the site when it opens to traffic later this year following a Government U-turn in January.

Eligible Halton residents can cross both bridges for free once they have successfully registered and paid a £10 annual administration fee.

Last week Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid wrote to transport minister Chris Grayling urging him to scrap tolls on the Mersey Gateway Bridge for motorists.

And he, along with his Labour colleagues, has signed and submitted an early day motion, which is a formal motion submitted for debate in the House of Commons, on the matter.

It calls for the Government to 'introduce a free tolling scheme' – at no cost to the local authorities concerned – 'for residents in Cheshire West, Chester, Merseyside and Warrington for those who need to use the crossings for work, education or to attend medical appointments, as a matter of urgency'.

Mr Rashid added: "It is important to show the Government we have massive support to scrap the tolls here."

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here